Govt admits political meddling in employees’ transfers

By M A Parray on February 3, 2017Comments Off on Govt admits political meddling in employees’ transfers

Srinagar: The government on Thursday admitted political meddling in transfer of its workforce, saying it causes “undue interference” in the functioning of the administration and complicates cadre management apart from creating other problems in optimum utilization of the human resource.
“It has been observed that some government employees (officers and officials) of different services get recommendations from different political dignitaries in an attempt to bring political or other outside influence upon superior authorities to further their interest in respect of matters pertaining to their service under the government,” commissioner secretary to the government, Khurshid Ahmad, said in an circular issued here.
“The recommendations mostly seek transfers and postings of these employees, which cause undue interference in the functioning of the administration and complicate cadre management, besides creating other allied problems in so far as optimum utilization of the human resource is concerned,” the officer said.
As per the J&K Government Employees (conduct) Rules (1971), no employee “shall bring or attempt to bring any political or other outside influence to bear upon any superior authority to further interest pertaining to his or her service under the government.”
“It is impressed upon all government employees to avoid bringing undue influence on the authorities associated with their cadre management on the matters pertaining to transfers and postings and other allied service matters,” he said, warning that non-compliance “shall be viewed seriously and dealt with strictly in accordance with the rules.”
The government in July 2010 came up with a detailed policy on transfers and postings of its workforce. It lays down broad principles to be followed by all the designated authorities with thrust on eligibility and suitability of the employee concerned as well as on the interest of government
It says the convenience of the employees may be considered provided it does not affect the interest of the government work.
“Posting shall be made on a rotational basis to sensitive and non-sensitive (non-field/posts) which shall be identified by the departments.”
Where both husband and wife are in government service, the policy says they may be posted conveniently as far as possible subject to availability of post and keeping in view of the interest of administration.
“Minimum tenure of a government employee on a post shall be two years and a maximum of three years,” it says.
There is room for premature transfer if it is not in the public interest or in the interest of administration to allow the employee to continue on a post for a full tenure, performance of employee is found to be below job requirement and the transfer is sought on health grounds and supported by medial certificates issued by duly constituted medical boards.
The maximum tenure regarding important projects, which are required to be completed in a time bound manner, may be extended for up to five years if continuation of an officer was considered necessary, it says.
The policy also says that premature transfers, wherever unavoidable, shall be ordered with the prior approval of Minister in charge for the reasons to be recorded.
The transfer orders once issued must be strictly complied with and if the government feels the need for modifying an order, it shall be done only after obtaining the approval of next higher authority, it says.

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